How to rid of McAfee pop-ups when you don't have McAfee on your computer!

Richard Mauser 20 Reputation points
2026-10-09T20:30:52.49+00:00

McAfee Popup (like crazy!) making it look like my computer is hacked, and every time I delete one, another pops up.

To be clear, I do not have McAfee!

I got rid of the problem very simply, by clicking on the three dots "..." to get the drop-down box, then clicking on "delete browsing data", check marking (browsing, download, cookies and other site data, cached images and files) histories, then clicking the "clear now" button -- and POOF! they all disappeared.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Security and privacy
Answer accepted by question author

AI answer

2026-10-09T20:31:29.3066667+00:00

Clearing the browsing data stopped the current alerts; to prevent them from returning, block or remove notification permission for the suspicious website in your browser.

Prevent the alerts from returning in Microsoft Edge

These McAfee-branded warnings can be website notifications rather than messages from an installed McAfee application. Edge website notifications can appear in the lower-right corner and Notification Center even when Edge is closed.^1^

  1. Open Microsoft Edge.
  2. Select … in the upper-right corner, then Settings.
  3. Go to Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > All sites.
  4. Open any unfamiliar or suspicious website.
  5. Find Notifications and select Block.
  6. Repeat for every site you do not recognize.

If an alert identifies the originating website, do not click the alert itself. Locate that website through Edge settings and block it there.

Check Windows 11

Since clearing browser data already stopped the alerts, there is no need to repeat that step. As a precaution:

  1. Open Start and search for Windows Security.
  2. Select Virus & threat protection > Quick scan.^2^
  3. Check Settings > Apps > Installed apps for unfamiliar software. If no McAfee entry exists and Microsoft Defender is the active provider, McAfee is not installed or running.^3^

If the warnings return after notification permissions have been blocked, inspect Edge extensions and remove any extension you do not recognize. Do not click Scan, Renew, call a displayed telephone number, or enter payment information in these alerts.

References

  1. Manage website notifications in Microsoft Edge | Microsoft Support
  2. Stay protected with the Windows Security app | Microsoft Support
  3. apps on my windows 11 - Microsoft Q&A
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